Flock Safety's automated license plate readers are becoming a common sight across Central Ohio, helping police locate missing children, recover stolen vehicles, and solve crimes. But when does a public-safety tool become mass surveillance? With millions of ordinary drivers captured in these databases, how much privacy should Central Ohioans surrender for public safety? Can strong rules on warrants, data sharing, and searches preserve Flock's crime-fighting benefits while preventing abuse?
Featuring:
Trevor Chandler, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Flock Safety
Gary Daniels, Legislative Director, ACLU of Ohio
Nick Konves, Assistant Chief, Columbus Division of Police
Emmanuel V. Remy, Columbus City Councilmember
Your host is Anna Lynn Winfrey, Reporter, The Columbus Dispatch.
The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream was The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream and promotional partner was The Columbus Dispatch.
This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus, Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
CMC's theme music was composed by Jeffrey Ciampa.
If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our fantastic partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading We See it All: Liberty and Justice in the Age of Perpetual Surveillance, by Jon Fasman (2021).
This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio on August 26, 2026.
